LOS ANGELES (AP) Thousands of children with emotional disorders could lose critical mental health services provided by a state program whose funding has been sharply reduced.
Using his line-item veto, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cut nearly all funding for the Children's System of Care, a 20-year-old initiative that provides therapy, case management and emergency intervention, among other services.
About 4,000 California children, including some who are suicidal, could be affected. While many children can still receive services through Medi-Cal, nearly 15 percent will lose all their mental health services.
Schwarzenegger, who slashed the program's funds while signing a $105.4 billion budget, said the move was ``necessary to help build a prudent reserve and bring ongoing expenditures in line with existing resources over the long term.''
However, advocates worry about impact the cuts will have on children who rely on the program.
``There's a lot of kids who would commit suicide, who would not get their lives back on track, who would become entangled in the juvenile justice system if they don't get this help,'' said Paul Yoder, a lobbyist for the California Mental Health Directors Association.
The initiative started as a Ventura County pilot program in 1984. It coordinates all county services mentally ill children might need, and brings together mental health employees, parents, social workers, probation officers and others to arrange plans to help children.
Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com
| In the interest of timeliness, this story is fed directly from the newswire and may contain occasional typographical errors. |